President Obama is seen at his desk on Air Force One last month. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

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A bold move from the president dubbed "one of the least merciful" in US history: President Obama commuted the sentences of 22 drug offenders yesterday, more than doubling the number of commutations he has issued during his presidency, reports USA Today, which notes that it was the biggest single-day commutation since Bill Clinton commuted 40 sentences and pardoned 150 other offenders on his final day in office. All but two of the sentences commuted were for cocaine offenses, and Politico reports that all but one of the sentences were shortened to end in July, allowing a few months for transition in halfway houses. The White House has released a list of the offenders and their sentences.

On the White House blog, Counsel to the President Neil Eggleston says many of the drug offenders were "convicted under an outdated sentencing regime" and have already served longer than people convicted of the same crime today would. The White House also released a letter from Obama to Terry Andre Barnes, who was sentenced in 2005 to 20 years and six months for distributing crack cocaine. "You have demonstrated the potential to turn your life around," Obama writes, telling Barnes it may be tough, but he has the capacity to make good choices, and his example will influence "the possibility that others in similar circumstances get their own second chance in the future." "I believe in your ability to prove the doubters wrong," he writes. "So good luck, and Godspeed."

My tweet from March 6, 2015 after hearing Obama speak: Obama is asking all Black nonviolent CRIMINALS to submit Pardon Requests. He has beefed up the dept in anticipation to approve! He spoke that day, and his actual statement went something like 'I'm surprised I haven't received a lot of pardon requests...I have the NAACP working with people to help them because in African Am communities It is difficult for young black men to make it in this world when they have a criminal record. Hard for their families, babies, (baby mamas)... So I hope I hear from more people.' This is not verbatim, and i have the link at the end. He also spoke on Ferguson, although people clearly didn't get the part of the message that Wilson was innocent. I have not looked at the racial breakdown yet of these pardons, but it was quite clear to me that he wasn't talking to my family. Furthermore, I then envisioned the likes of Rev. Sharpton and MO Sen. Marie ChappelleNadal arriving at the WH with busses of criminals. My uncle was so excited about the pardon until I told him the bad news. Sorry Jerry, it's only for black people. Link to USA article: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/03/06/obama-pardons-new-approach/24517879/

Ramil

Apr 2, 2015 6:52 AM CDT

Doubled to 22? That's like saying the murder rate increased by 100% in one year if it went from one murder the first year to two murders the next year. The actual numbers matter!

Steven Kopp

Apr 2, 2015 12:58 AM CDT

Looking at the list, only 5 - 7 look like they may have been more than a street corner seller. Most low level sellers are addicts, getting their drugs for free. I would think, many will end up back in jail, I'm sure the cops will keep a real close eye on them.